January 12th 2025.
In a thrilling match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday, India proved their dominance over Ireland with a massive 116-run victory in the second women's ODI. With this win, the hosts have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The highlight of the match was Jemimah Rodrigues' maiden international century, supported by half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, and Harleen Deol, which powered India to their highest-ever total of 370/5 in the format.
India got off to a blistering start with openers Smriti and Pratika stitching a 150-run partnership before the skipper was dismissed in the 19th over. However, Harleen and Jemimah stood resilient and went on to add 183 runs for the third wicket, with Jemimah scoring the last 50 runs in just 28 balls. Harleen fell just 11 runs short of her second ODI century, while Jemimah was bowled out in the last over of the innings.
Ireland's bowlers, Arlene Kelly and Orla Prendergast, shared two wickets each but conceded over eight runs per over. Chasing a daunting target of 371, Ireland's top scorer Gaby Lewis was the first to be dismissed, followed by Sarah Forbes and Orla Prendergast. Despite a valiant effort by Laura Delany and Christina Coulter Reilly, Ireland could only manage to reach 254/7 at the end of 50 overs.
Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler for India, taking 3 wickets for 37 runs in her 10 overs. Jemimah, who scored a brilliant century, was named Player of the Match. "I am relieved. I have scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket. The roles usually have been different on the side. I have played more T20 cricket. I tried to play how I used to play in the domestic circuit," she said after the match.
The third ODI between the two teams will be played on January 15, with Ireland hoping to salvage a consolation win in the series finale.
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